Neoprene gives Neolithic 27th winner

With about six weeks left until mid-year, Neolithic is well on his way to surpassing last season, when he racked up 50 winners. Neoprene has given the son of Harlan’s Holiday winner number 27 in 2026 with a convincing score at Presque Isle Downs.

The 5-year-old mare bred by Belinda Kitos at Southern Cross Farm had Huber Villa-Gomez in the saddle for the 5 1/2-furlong trip over the all-weather course. Neoprene broke quickly and chased the early pacesetter down the backstretch while sitting a comfortable second. She went up to battle up front on the turn, came wide into the stretch and proved best by 2 1/2 lengths, clocked in 1:04.25.

Neoprene paid $9.20, and the check for $8,400 lifted her earnings to $56,739.